National Health and Safety Function, Workplace Health and Wellbeing Unit, National HR Division

Chemical Agents Risk Assessment – Part 1 of 3

Division: Acute Hospital Source of Risk: Risk assessment
HG/CHO/NAS/Function: RCSI Hospital Group Primary Impact Category: Harm to a Person/Compliance
Hospital Site / Service: ABC Hospital Risk Type: Operational
Dept/Service Site : Histology Laboratory Name of Risk Owner (BLOCKS):Joe Black
Date of Assessment: 17/9/2018 Signature of Risk Owner: Joe Black
Unique ID No: 1234 Risk Co-Ordinator: N/A
Risk Assessor(s) Joe Black/Joe Bloggs

Chemical Name (Concentration): Chemical Process:

Formalin 10% neutral buffered
Number of
Employees Exposed:
7 employees in
contact with product
at any one time.
Safety Data Sheet available: Yes
Amount used and
quantity stored
1 x 5 litres drums in
Used to fix and process samples in Histology
Categories of employees likely to be exposed: (Tick) Duration and frequency of contact (Hr/day):
Nursing Staff Medical Staff
Daily exposure for up to one hour at a time
Care Staff Maintenance Staff maximum.
Housekeeping
Others (please specify): Laboratory Technicians
X No Location of SDS :Attached in Date of SDS:28/3/2017
departmental chemcial inventory list on “X
drive”.
Dustiness or Volatility: High, Medium
Hazard and risk associated with chemical: Exposure route(s) (Tick):
or Low
Eyes X No dust generated from this product
H315 Causes skin irritation

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 National Health and Safety Function, Workplace Health and Wellbeing Unit, National HR Division

lab used weekly. Skin X Volatility- no data available

2x5 litres stored in
lab store at any one
time.
H317-May cause an allergic skin reaction
Ingestion
H318- Causes serious eye damage.
H350- May cause cancer Inhalation)
Inhalation
H402- Harmful to aquatic life.

Chemical Agents Risk Assessment – Part 2 of 3

 Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Hazard Symbols
CLP SYMBOLS
Acute Serious Health Corrosion Environment Flammability Oxidising Explosion Stored as
toxicity long term hazard Hazard al hazard hazard Hazard Hazard gas under
hazard health pressure
hazard
Tick appropriate pictogram. Refer
to section 2 of SDS
  
Insert appropriate signal word i.e.
danger or warning.
Danger

Occupational Exposure Limit Value (OELV) if applicable insert airborne OELV. Refer to Code of Practice to Chemical Agents Regulations
2018.

OELV :0.2ppm OEL (8 hour reference period) & 0.4 ppm OEL (15 min reference period)

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 National Health and Safety Function, Workplace Health and Wellbeing Unit, National HR Division

HAZARD & RISK ADDITIONAL ACTION DUE DATE

EXISTING CONTROL MEASURES
DESCRIPTION CONTROLS REQUIRED OWNER

Storage: Stored away from sources of ignition and direct sunlight. Continuous 17/12/2018
Risk of ill health Joe Black/all
Drums are stored in a chemical storage cabinet currently separate to monitoring & review
due to potential Employees
incompatible products such as strong bases, strong acids, & strong of all existing controls.
exposure to
oxidizers as per SDS. Implementation and
formalin to the
supervision of all
Laboratory
Use: Use in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. standard operating
Technicians staff.
Staff must adhere to the safety precautions as set out in the standard procedures by all staff.
The potential
operating procedures for the fixation & processing of samples (SOP
exposure route is
001). Use chemicals in designated areas only and by trained staff.
via skin/ eye/
Students are supervised at all times in histology lab.
inhalation while
processing
Engineering controls:
histology samples
All specimen cut up tables have a down draft system, which is serviced
daily.
annually and records maintained in the Lab Managers office.

All heating, ventilation & air conditioning (HVAC) systems are on a

preventative maintenance /validation schedule & records are
maintained in lab Managers office.

Occupational Hygiene: a comprehensive Occ Hygiene programme is in

place within the lab. Results are reviewed carefully to ensure there are
no OEL exceedances. Last monitored in September 2018, report results
have been communicated to staff in the H&S meeting of October 2018,
minutes available. Any recommendations implemented. Future
monitoring planned for September 2019 unless work practices change.

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 National Health and Safety Function, Workplace Health and Wellbeing Unit, National HR Division
PPE: Based on Occ hygiene results the following PPE is mandated for
use. Gloves, chemical goggles or safety glasses, chemical resistant
apron (pouring formalin) provided to staff.

Waste: All waste containers/materials labelled and placed in the store

room for collection by licensed chemical disposal company in
accordance with the transportation of Dangerous Goods requirements.

Spill Procedure:
In the event of a spillage safety glasses, protective clothing, gloves, a
combined gas/dust mask with filter type A/P3 to be worn.
Ventilate the area, spillage kit to be used. Spillage procedure to be
implemented. Spill kit located in lab reception. Employees trained in
its use. All spillages recorded on incident reporting form by lab
Manager. Investigation completed by lab manager and staff.

In the event of a fire follow local procedures and training.

First Aid:
Skin Contact: Wash with plenty of liquid soap &water. If skin irritation
or rash occurs get medical advice/ attention.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove
contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing refer to ED
department for review.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth. Do not induce vomiting. Refer to ED
department for review.
Inhalation: If safe remove the staff member from the area and allow the
staff member to breathe fresh air and to rest.

Following an incident/accident all staff to be sent to Emergency

department with a copy of Formalin SDS for medical review.

Hygiene measures: to reduce potential exposure wash hands with

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 National Health and Safety Function, Workplace Health and Wellbeing Unit, National HR Division
liquid soap & water before eating, drinking and when leaving work.

Health surveillance: The Occupational Health team/ safety

professionals have reviewed the Occ hygiene results and the risk
assessment and have determined that Health Surveillance is not
required at this time. Should a staff member suffer any symptoms,
which is suspected to be the result of exposure to Formalin then a
referral to the local Occ health Department will be made by the Lab
Manager.

Training: All staff have completed chemical safety module on HSEland.

Records maintained by Lab manager. Tailored training on the specific
chemicals used in the lab has been provided, records maintained by Lab
Manager.

INITIAL RISK Risk Status

Likelihood Impact Initial Risk Rating Open Monitor Closed

Unlikely (2) Minor(2) L4 

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 National Health and Safety Function, Workplace Health and Wellbeing Unit, National HR Division

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